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Location: United States

Member Since: Oct. 19, 2009

Joyce Norman

Biography

Joyce is a former journalist/foreign correspondent and has traveled the world writing adventure stories. She has published three books and her new novel, "Coming Together" tells of an unbelievable time in Brazil. She is working hard on the sequel to this novel and also, is writing a unique journey, "The Lost Skate Key." Her talented son, Clay, lives/works in San Francisco.

Where to find Joyce Norman online

Where to buy in print

Books

This member has not published any books.

Smashwords book reviews by Joyce Norman

Alone in the Company of Others: A Novel
on Oct. 22, 2009
(no rating)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Alone in the Company of Others, August 16, 2009
By Novelist J. A. Norman, "Coming Together",(Birmingham,AL - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
As an author, I find myself having great expectations when I begin any new novel. However, the majority of times I soon discover that a book doesn't live up to its promises and it's usually never finished.
Well, look out! I've just closed the back cover on a novel that went way beyond my "great expectations" to a place called, "Where has this great author been?" As the book is written by a young woman in her 20's, I suppose the answer would be, "She's been growing up" and she has grown wonderfully into a world-class author who possesses the ability to turn names lying flat on pages into real, multi-dimensional people, given them something to say worth reading about and simply captivates the reader.
Kelly Huddleston has not written an easily read novel. She has written an intricate piece of work that lets you know there are still excellent storytellers left in the world with an innate gift of craftmanship. Huddleston's way with words sets her apart from almost any new novel on the market today. While sometimes a bit verbose in descriptions, the author quickly brings the reader back to the business at hand.
My favorite literary vehicle in this book is Wilsie. With such an innocent little name, this character acts as the Chorus in a Greek play. With a toy tape recorder, Wilsie chronicles everything that goes on in the house -- without speaking he becomes the historian in the novel.
No doubt this is not an easy read. However, it is worth every page you turn. It's not often you come upon a real, honest-to-goodness exceptional new author whose works will be around for a very long time. Writing talent? Huddleston has it!

Calico Pennants
on Oct. 30, 2009
Seen Any Dragonflies Lately?, October 30, 2009
By J. A. Norman (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews
If you happen to read while standing up, sit down. If you read while sitting down, find something and hang on! David A. Ross's novel, "Calico Pennants" starts out setting you up for a nice, relaxing read about a man named Julian who takes a vacation to Hawaii. Next, he buys a big boat and next...well, if you think this reviewer is going to tell you anymore about the plot, click the Delete button.
David A. Ross is definitely not new to writing. This author has been around the literary block a time or two and knows how to write a
page-turner. When I began the read, I thought I would make it to the end of Part I and come back to it later. Well, it's much, much later and I couldn't stop until the last period appeared at the end of the last sentence! Several times I thought I had things figured out. More than several times I realized I did not. Books that pick you up and have the power to carry you on adventures is my kind of book. "Calico Pennants" is my kind of book.
A novice sailor with a new boat on his hands takes a weekend trip to get the hang of being a ship's captain. He loses his anchor (well, the boat does), the engine won't start and he drifts from Hawaii far out into the South Pacific Ocean. He loses track of time, loses consciousness and winds up with the boat's hull jammed deeply in the sandy beach of a small island very far from Hawaii.
Meanwhile, years and years before in a flashback, Amelia Earhart is making her attempt at circling the globe and her plane goes down in...yes, somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean...yet, when Julian finally awakes and realizes he is shipwrecked, he is aware of a plane's sputtering, gasping-for-gas sound above him. He follows the sound to where he assumes the crash to be and find... nothing! Time zones are in conflict here but you must keep reading for it only gets better and you'll have to decide how Earhart influences Julian. Strange? Read on.
David A. Ross describes the surroundings on this tiny atoll vividly and precisely and you can almost hear the coconuts hitting the sand and the Trade Winds blowing through the palm fronds. It's interesting what this author does with the different way things look in varying lighting.
The comic relief is wondrously carried out by a very talented, verbal parrot. He and Julian have made this trip together and toward the end of the book they both share something that draws them very close together. The bird takes on human traits and becomes one of the strong characters in the book.
You must read this novel if you want something different from the norm. It's about taking risks, about what it would be like to live in Paradise. It's about finding out who you are and it's most of all, about time, the real main character in this riveting novel.
I gave this novel 5 stars for brilliant writing and creativity at its best!
Novelist Joyce Norman